My Sweet Baby Has Turned into a Crazy Man!

I completely agree with Amy J. My 18 month old tried this around the same age- i did what she said and he is now getting use to the fact that he doesnt run the show. I cannot always hold him, i try to when i can but sometimes feeding the family, or cleaning comes first. He is now learning to play in his room with his toys (that is connected to my room so i can see him in it) and it helps so much. its the age- i think they try to decide how far they can push! :)

he just testing you to see how far he can push, it will pass. Just for future reference all sweet little boys turn into crazy men a few times in their lives it passes it is sort of a Jekyll and Hyde ride most of the time but I wouldn't trade mine for any thing.

He will out grow it. My son was like that around that age and my daughter just turned 1 and she is very clingy in the evening around dinner time. Usually from about 4-6 or so is her fussy/clingy time. Then she will calm down after being fed and play and run around till bed time. It is normal and this to shall pass!

I would say its separation anxiety... super common at this age and there's not a ton that you can do about it. You just have to reassure him that you are there and try to make him feel secure. If you leave the room, tell him "I'm going to go to the bathroom, I'll be right back." And when you come back give him a big hug and say "See? I came back!"

You don't have to hold him all the time, you just have to talk to him. He understands. He's not a crazy man... he's still a sweet baby. He's just in a new phase of development. Give him cuddles when you can and special time when you can and when you have to do other things let him know. I can't hold you now because I need my hands to help your brother. You can stay here right next to me until I'm done. Stay positive and loving. It will take some time to pass, but it will.

Good luck~

He is testing you.lol boys are great but they can also be a handful I have been blessed with 3 of them. Children also behaive differently for different people, so dont take it personally. Infact I would say he is more comfortable with you. Children tend to act out around people they are comfortable with because they know no matter what you will be there. Just keep to a retuin with how ever you decide to handle it. You know your child best.

One year olds have emotional needs that need to be met, and if he screams when you put him down, it is because he feels safe and secure in your arms. If he is in daycare (no judgment here- my children go too), he probably misses you and WANTS to be with you all the time. This is totally normal, and he is NOT "playing you." (Sorry to go against the grain, but I just don't buy that...)

Children go through different stages of separation anxiety, and 12 months is a rough one. 15 can be bad, and 18 months can be the worst. Just saying, it might get better and then get worse over the next 6 months, but it WILL get better. Especially if he knows he can trust you to meet his needs.

The best thing you can do for him when he is going through stages of separation is be there for him. YES it is hard to do ALL the time. And YES there will be times when you simply cannot just hold him. But if you just talk to him and say things like, "I'm going to put you down for a few minutes but when I'm finished with ____, I can pick you up again." Then follow through. Encourage him to follow you if you have to go to another room, and give him time to get there so you don't go behind a corner and he can't see you anymore.

I find that if I change my outlook or attitude, it makes a world of difference. So don't think of it is that he is turning psycho, just think of it as he is a baby who needs his mommy right now. This too shall pass...!

Definitely be confident in NOT letting him boss you around. He's old enough to be well out of the fragile infant stage where you have to comfort all the time no matter what. If he screams when you put him down, be sure to still put him down. Technically this is sort of ignoring, and he is getting old enough for discipline (controversial but true) for tantrums, but at the very least, do NOT give him his way or it will continue to get worse. If you just firmly and calmly go about your business holding him when you can and putting him down when you need to and NOT letting him dictate by screaming, he may get over it on his own once he sees it has no effect. But he also may still escalate trying even harder to outlast you with the crying, which means you should consider discipline if that's your style and you really want it to stop. If not, just let it be, but again, don't do his bidding or it will definitely get worse.

Since he only does this with you, I would try switching up the routine a bit and see how he responds. Can you have your husband put him down at night and get him ready in the morning for a few days?
Sometimes kids fall into a pattern, whatever it is, and a small change in the routine can get them out of it. Good luck!

He is either testing you or teething. Try some oragel and see if he stops crying. If not he's testing you....